Plaque unveiled for Emmett

Family and friends of Emmett Hickey will celebrate the popular entertainer’s life on the 10th anniversary of his death this Friday.

 

Mr Hickey, Knockbrack, Clonlara, died unexpectedly in the United States from a suspected heart attack at the age of 35. His untimely passing came as a huge shock to his family and his very large circle of friends.

He will be remembered with the unveiling a plaque at Doonass cemetery at 8pm, which will be followed by refreshments at a function at Stritches Pub, Clonlara.

It promises to be a poignant occasion for his mother, Peggy; sisters, Noelle and Fionnula and brother, Colm.

An electrician by profession, he was doing well on the entertainment scene in the US, singing for about a year when he died.

Extremely outgoing and gregarious, he was blessed with great wit and charm, which proved invaluable when he was entertaining people. He also played with well-known entertainer Sean Boland from Birdhill in North Tipperary.

He won the Lisdoonvarna Batchelor, world step dancing and several karaoke competitions and was part of the Nolan School of Dancing ­ entertaining people at Jury’s Hotel, Limerick during the summer season.

He was well known in North Clare and there is a photograph of him in the Imperial Bar, Lisdoonvarna.

‘Busaway’, a voluntary organisation, ran a bus to rural areas during the winter to entertain people and likewise gave them a chance to entertain the attendance. Mr Hickey was always on hand ­ he played the guitar and as the night went on, he took to the floor, charming the audience with his step dancing.

According to a family spokesman, no one could outclass him. “Emmett was a great entertainer. He could get the crowd going and would have people laughing in minutes. He was always on hand to do charity work in the community. Although he died young, he achieved many goals,” he said.